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A/N: Thank you to all those who are still reading this story. We really appreciate the support.
Jun Pyo stared at the piece of paper in his hand in disbelief. When had things gotten so bad? He read through the note again. "Can't afford rent? Considering trying out a homeless shelter? Don't worry, it's a safe one?"
A safe homeless shelter, was Jan Di out of her mind? How had things gotten so bad and how selfish was he that he had never noticed? He was a total failure as a boyfriend. He wiped away a tear from his eye. This was not the right time to shut down. He had to find her and bring her home. He took out his phone and dialed the F4. His friends would know what to do. They always came through in the end.
_oOo_
"You have reached Chu Ga Eul, please leave a message after the tone." Jun Pyo held back a sob.
"Ga Eul, I'm sorry. I have failed as a boyfriend and a human. I understand completely if you want to revoke my boyfriend privileges but still…I'm hoping that you can find it in your heart to let me know if you hear from her, and perhaps, to let me see her one last time. I know I don't deserve it. I only want to say goodbye."
"Jun Pyo," interrupted Ji Hoo, "you have to provide more context than that. Ga Eul isn't going to guess what happened."
"Right, sorry. Ga Eul, our Jan Di is in a homeless shelter. I had no idea that things had gotten so bad. I am an utter failure. I have only myself to blame."
_oOo_
Beom Seok cracked his knuckles as he watched fresh meat enter the homeless shelter. She was thin, but more slender than frail. She didn't look underfed or weak, which was unlikely for someone who had come here fresh from the streets. This meant that she was the perfect prey- one who came with fresh merchandise, but possessed no skills to protect it. She stopped at the desk where the old hag, Ae Ri, was giving her the stink eye.
"I have come here before as a volunteer, but I never envisioned registering myself. Life is weird I guess. You know how it is."
Ae Ri didn't even look up from her phone. "Can you sign here and stop holding the line. I'm not your therapist. Move it along. I haven't got all day."
She did as instructed, and signed her name. The receptionist snatched the pen from her hands and shooed her inside.
The girl had taken only a few steps inside the shelter when she was approached by Korean Tom Cruise. He loved playing tour guide. Beom Seok moved a little closer to them.
"Don't mind Ae Ri. Come along. I'll give you a tour," said Tom cruise.
He showed her the room where they slept. She was fascinated by the mats and bent down to check it out. Beom Seok used this time to appraise her. She carried no purse. So there was nothing there. Her clothes seemed of good quality, nothing too fancy, just jeans and a T-shirt. The money and cell phone were probably in her pocket.
"The mats in the middle are the most comfortable. Come, let me show you where we gather for food every day."
"Wow, you really know your way around."
"Well, young Miss, I have been in and out of this place a lot in the past four years. It has provided a sturdy shoulder that the cold entertainment industry never did."
"You are an actor?"
"Well, I aspire to be one. I left home when I was about eighteen years old. My folks didn't really support my dream. Disapproving opinions was something I had mentally prepared myself for. It's just a small part of the struggles that entail this lifestyle. So I moved to Seoul with hundred won in my pocket and three pairs of my best clothes "
"All by yourself? That takes guts," she said with admiration.
"It didn't really. You see, dreams have a lot of power. They give you strength. I waited tables initially. Something to make ends meet. But with my acting classes and numerous auditions, they couldn't put up with me anymore. So, that's how I got fired from those chains of jobs. Eventually, I found my home here. It beats living on the street. You'd think that I'd be able to melt away people's hearts for some spare change using my acting chops, but I guess it's time to detect a pattern now."
"Do you still go on auditions?"
"I do, from time to time. It's not like I'm trained for anything else. Besides that, I sell pens outside the university campus. It's a good business, as I can just get the product for free from the front desk reception. "
"Don't lose hope. Your experiences with hardships will provide new depths to the characters you play."
"Miss watch out!" Tom cruise shouted but was too late to stop Beom Seok from pouncing on his prey. He aimed for the pocket, that's where the money would be.
_oOo_
Yi Jeong tried Woo Bin's number for the third time that day, and for the third time, it went to voicemail. "Woo Bin, when you get this, call me. It's a code red, Woo Bin, a code red. Please, call me back ASAP."
"Give it up, Yi Jeong . He isn't going to pick up. Let's focus on the task at hand," said Ji Hoo.
"Jun Pyo, have you tried calling Jan Di? Maybe this was a mistake, and she is perfectly fine."
"She isn't picking up. The loonies from the homeless shelter have probably taken it away from her. It has all our pictures. So many memories that we have created together."
"Did you try Ga Eul again?" asked Ji Hoo
"It's going to voicemail."
Yi Jeong tried Ga Eul's number and sure enough, it went to voicemail. What was up with everyone today? Why wasn't anyone answering their phones?
"We have already wasted enough time. Let's start checking all the homeless shelters in the nearby city. There are ten in total. A lot to cover. God knows how much time my poor Jan Di-ah has left."
_oOo_
"I told you already, I'm not making any documentary. I'm looking for my girlfriend." The man, Jun Pyo, took out his phone and showed her a picture of them.
The women took one look at the well- dressed spoilt brat, with his branded shoes and gold plated watch and scoffed. She took the phone from him and examined the girl dressed in a satin gown with expensive looking jewelry. "You expect me to believe that this woman came to live here? Yeah right, where have you hidden your cameras? I don't care how rich you are mister. If I see one crew member, I'm calling the cops. This is my turf."
He ignored her and walked inside the shelter showing the photo to the people.
"Sir, you can't barge in here. I already told you, your Jandi-ah isn't here."
"I have been to three homeless shelters already. I'm not going to leave this easily. My Jandi-ah is out there somewhere-lost, alone and cold. I have to tell you, your services are abysmal. No hot water, plastic chairs, beds stacked on top of each-other. This isn't an amusement park you know and let me not even get started on your plumbing."
The receptionist straightened herself. "Well, I will see to it personally that our plumbing is improved so that your Jandi-ah can live her best life here."
"Oh, so she is here?"
"No, it was just an example. Come back here."
She chased Jun Pyo as he went deeper into the shelter.
"Jandi-ah, where are you? Jandi-ah can you hear me?"
_oOo_
"I don't have time to chat. Sign your name and get in. This isn't a movie theatre."
Yi Jeong did as he was told. It didn't seem as if arguing was going to get him anywhere. This was the third shelter he had been to, and there was still no sign of Jan Di.
Yi Jeong approached an old man and showed him her picture.
The man stared at the photo intently. "At this age, my eyes don't work that well, but a young woman with a similar name did sign into the shelter today. She was with Korean Tom Cruise."
Yi Jeong thanked the man and went in the direction he had indicated. There he was greeted not by Jan Di, but by a girl covered in dirt, with disheveled hair, a scraped knee, and a single shoe.
"Ha Jae Kyung, what are you doing here?"
_oOo_
Jun Pyo got out from under the bed. "Jandi-ah, Jandi-ah. Where have they kept you?"
"Do you really think that your girlfriend would be hiding in a closet?" asked a man who Jun Pyo thought looked a lot like a kidnapper he had seen on the news.
"I don't know, maybe you stuffed her in there. Don't lie to me. I can recognize her scent anywhere and you smell an awful lot like my Jandi-ah. I may be weak but I will fight you."
Jun Pyo was contemplating physical violence when his phone rang.
"Hello?"
"Jun Pyo," said Jan Di. "Why have you left me ten miscalls? I had a fever. It was not an emergency."
_oOo_
"Sir, would you please return my friend's shoe?" Yi Jeong asked the large man wearing one of Jae Kyung's shoes.
"Listen, mister, I have no idea what you are talking about, this is my shoe."
Yi Jeong took one look at the man's feet. "This pink belly is yours?"
"Yes, pink is a very becoming color for my skin tone."
"And where is the other pair?"
"Latest fashion."
Yi Jeong pinched the bridge of his nose, "Okay, how about I buy them from you?"
"One million dollars."
"I am not paying you that."
"Then you don't get the shoe, I guess."
"Okay, listen I don't carry that kind of cash in my packet."
"There is an ATM nearby. I can give you directions."
"How about I give you 50 dollars?"
"10,000 and that is my final offer."
"I am not paying that much for a worn-out shoe that doesn't belong to you to begin with."
The thief stared at his feet and then back at Yi Jeong. Ok, I am a reasonable person. How about for 150 dollars and your jacket, I'll give you MY shoe."
After returning Jae Kyung her shoe, Yi Jeong called Jun Pyo to update him on the situation.
"Yi Jeong, bro, I was just about to call you. Jan Di was asleep in her dorm. I don't know why she would write such a note. Was this some kind of prank? Do you think she is trying to send me some kind of message?"
"Did the letter actually have Jan Di's name on it?"
"Well, no, It was signed 'J'. 'J' for Jan Di."
"It was left for me. I have this friend."
"Well tell your friend to sign her full name from now on. We all have other people in our lives whose names start with 'J'. There is no need for her to give us all a heart attack."
"Sure, Jun Pyo, I will keep that in mind."
With that said Yi Jeong hung up the call before Jun Pyo could get more hysterical. He gestured for Jae Kyung to get in the car, and drove towards the F4 lounge."
_oOo_
Ji Hoo applied antiseptic to Jae Kyung's cuts, trying his best to be as gentle as possible. Jae Kyung needed a place to shower, put on fresh clothes, and get someone to check her for injuries. Yi Jeong could have dropped her off at her house, where she could have done all these things. But after the day he had had, he didn't want her out of his sight. Woo Bin would never forgive him if any harm was to come to her. The F4 lounge then was the most logical choice and Ji Hoo the most logical person to call for first aid.
"So Jae Kyung ? Jae…You have any other bruises? Or discomfort of any kind?"
"No, no I'm perfectly fine. I tripped in the shelter that's all. Thank you so much for your help. I really appreciate it."
"No issues. Anything for a friend of Yi Jeong's". He turned to face Yi Jeong , "Well then, Yi Jeong, I will go and check up on my friend, Jan Di."
Ji Hoo was a strange one. Why he decided to place emphasis on the words Yi Jeong and friend was beyond him. At the least he came and checked up on Jae Kyung with minimal questions.
Well, there was no use putting it off. "So. Jae Kyung," Yi Jeong seated himself next her, "Why were you in a homeless shelter?"
"Age old story. You set out on a quest to prove yourself with little training and nothing but pure confidence and sheer force of will to lead you. In the beginning, everything works well. You are still high on the adrenaline but slowly things start getting out of hand. You try making a budget, which is difficult when you could either eat satisfactorily or make rent. So you think it best to try living in a shelter until other cheaper accommodations could be procured."
Yi Jeong did not know what to say to that insane idea. He decided to leave that to Woo Bin to handle and instead asked her if she knew where his best friend was.
"In Fiji," she replied
_oOo_
Jae Kyung did not fault Yi Jeong for his confusion. She herself had only found out a day before. Worried about her finances or lack thereof, Jae Kyung had called Woo Bin for advice.
"Hi Jae, what's up?" he had answered the phone promptly. "I am a little busy right now. Headed for Fiji with Dad."
"So you thought you could just kidnap him? To Fiji?" Woo Bin's grandma shouted in the background.
"It was a surprise trip," Woo Bin said.
"I don't need your permission to plan trips with my son. Besides, he is excited about this." Woo Bin's dad yelled back.
"I am guessing this is not the best time." Jae Kyung said.
"I'll call you back."
_oOo_
Yi Jeong dialed Woo Bin's number once again and finally got someone on the other line.
"Hi, Yi Jeong dear," said Woo Bin's grandmother.
"Any sign of Woo Bin, grandma?"
"No, honey. He was at the beach three hours ago and then we just lost him. "
"Maybe he got tired of your rambling," Woo Bin's dad said in the background.
"Maybe he got tired of your tremendous skills at being a mafia boss. I mean can't locate his own son. Can't get three first class tickets on a plane."
"For the last time, you made me book yours last minute. The only tickets left were economy."
"Grandma, " Yi Jeong said. "I think Jun Pyo's calling me. Bye."
So Woo Bin was missing. Jae Kyung had lost her mind. Jan Di was ill and Ga Eul was god knows where. Yi Jeong had had it. He had just about had it.
_oOo_
Ga Eul came back from a pleasant day out with her family to ten miscalls from Yi Jeong, six from Jun Pyo, three from Ji Hoo and one from Jae Kyung. Taking a deep breath, she began to listen to the voicemails she had from Yi Jeong. She had planned to go through them all, but the first one itself made her so furious , and baffled, but mostly furious, that she had to stop. Jae Kyung? Homeless shelter? What the hell?
_oOo_
Unknown to Ga Eul, her parents were listening intently to her phone call to Woo Bin. She had locked the door so they only caught tidbits. But the tidbits were enough to put a permanent smile on their faces.
"This is so irresponsible, Woo Bin Sunbae. What were you thinking? Do you have any idea how dangerous this is?"
"I don't hear anything else." Mrs. Chu said.
"Do you think they broke up?" Asked Mr. Chu.
That very moment the door flew open and Ga Eul came out. Still dressed in her outdoor clothes and still carrying her purse.
"It's an emergency. I will be back in an hour at most. I will explain later." She told her parents as she rushed out the door.
"Do you think they are getting back together?" Mrs. Chu asked her husband.
_oOo_
Woo Bin had learned a lot from this trip at the beach. But the most important one was to not dig yourself into a hole in the sand. It seemed fun at first but once the water comes in, it gets difficult to dig yourself out. And that is exactly what he was reiterating to his grandmother and father when his phone rang. He did not pick it up on time but the sender had left a voicemail.
"I cannot believe that you would be this irresponsible Sunbae. What were you thinking? This is so dangerous! I am so disappointed in you, Sunbae. So disappointed."
Wow, how did Ga Eul know he had buried himself in a hole?
_oOo_
"Oh those were the good old days, I still had both arms back then." Woo Bin's dad's old associate was saying.
Woo Bin was having dinner with his father and his father's old friends who were all recounting tales from their youth.
"That was during the cocaine bust."
Woo Bin shouldn't be surprised. He knew in theory that the mafia contained a lot of illegal activity and had strong ties with the drug world. He also knew that it was dangerous. Hearing his dad's old pals discuss tales of the time they had lost their limbs, got into shoot-outs, and smuggled dangerous illegal substances shouldn't make him as queasy as it did. Woo Bin excused himself from the table. He needed air. That was what it was. He would take a few minutes, walk outside, and then would be back to his jolly old self. Maybe he would call Jae, or Ga Eul. He picked up his phone to do just that when he saw that he had another voicemail.
"Hi, Woo Shin. This is Ga Eul's father. If you have our daughter, we want her back. We are willing to pay the ransom."
Shocked and a little apprehensive, Woo Bin played the next voicemail. "Never mind, she came back."
A/N: Thank you to all those who are still reading this story. We really appreciate the support. We know it has been a long while since we posted. Life has been kind of crazy. While reviews are not in any way required, they are deeply appreciated. They provide us encouragement to continue writing. Thanks again to all our dear readers, and hope you enjoyed the chapter.